Dive deep into this month's News You Can Use! Learn about PFPA's new Executive Director, read up on the Spotted Lanternfly threats to PA forests, and catch up on upcoming events. This month's articles are sure to please!

Spotted Lanternfly: A Serious Threat to Penn’s Woods

The Spotted Lanternfly is expanding its range in SE Pennsylvania and the Fly’s larval stage has been observed defoliating the leaves of the following agricultural crops: grapes, peaches, hops, blueberry and apples. Of significant importance to the Pennsylvania forestry community is the fact that although its primary host is Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus) it has also been observed defoliating Willow, Black Walnut, Red Oak, Maple, Hickory, Ash, Sycamore and Black Cherry trees.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has expanded the areas quarantined due to Spotted Lanternfly but, unlike past quarantine expansions, is now applying the designation at the county level to provide an additional level of protection. Previously, quarantines were imposed only at the municipal level. The quarantine now includes areas where the insect is not yet confirmed, but where there is a high risk of its rapid spread beyond the region. Counties included in the quarantine are: Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill.

The quarantine may be expanded to new areas as further detections of the Spotted Lanternfly are detected and confirmed. Intentional movement of the Spotted Lanternfly is expressly prohibited and is a serious offense. Violations could result in criminal or civil penalties and/or fines.

The quarantine restricts the movement of certain articles. If you are seeking to enter into a compliance agreement to be able to move these materials you can request a permit by contacting Dana Rhodes, State Plant Regulatory Official at (717) 772-5205 or e-mail: danrhodes@pa.gov. You may also contact your Regional Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Office. Industries and regulated articles under the quarantine that are not to be removed/moved to a new area are:

Any living stage of the Spotted Lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula. This includes egg masses, nymphs, and adults.

The state is asking the public and those traveling through quarantined counties to:

·Scrape egg masses from trees or other surfaces, double bag them, and throw them in the garbage, or place the eggs in alcohol or hand sanitizer to kill them. Egg masses, which are laid in the fall, are initially waxy-looking, grey-brown blobs, and later look like dried mud. Each egg mass contains 35-50 young Spotted Lanternflies.

·Check vehicles for egg masses before leaving an infested area.

·Buy firewood locally. Do not take it with you when you leave.

·Check lawn furniture, wood products, construction materials, tarps, lawnmowers, trailers and other items stored outdoors before bringing them in for the winter, covering them or moving them.

(With thanks to Michelle McManus and PFPA for supplying significant portions of this article)

New Executive Director at PFPA

PFA welcomes Brian A. Rider of Mechanicsburg, PA, the new Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association to the Pennsylvania Forestry Community. Brian previously served as the President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association.

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A graduate of Millersville University, Brian serves on the University’s PA Council of Trustees as well as on the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center Advisory Board of Directors. Brian is a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Government Relations, the American Society of Association Executives and the Harrisburg Trade Association Executives. He will officially start at PFPA on January 2, 2018.

PFA President Richard Lewis is reaching out to Brian to continue the cooperative and productive relationship that PFA and PFPA enjoyed during the many years when Paul Lyskava was the PFPA Executive Director.

Tax Code Changes Needed to Promote Family Owned Woodlands

2015 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Raul Chiesa and Janet Sredy recently submitted in an editorial to the U.S. House and Senate in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette five tax code suggestions which would provide protection for family owned woodlands. The Beckets Run Woodlands owners suggest important provisions be incorporated to maintain the health and economic integrity of the $5.5 billion forest industry. Read more of the article here.

Wood Innovations Program – US Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service

Wood Innovations Program – US Department of Agriculture, US Forest Service

For: USA states nonprofits, for-profits, government agencies, communities, school districts, special purpose districts, and IHEs to enhance and promote forestry and wood product markets. Projects should reduce forest fires, be cost effective, and promote environmental and economic health.

This past week, the International Trade Commission (ITC), in an unanimous determination, ruled in favor of the American lumber industry in that the domestic timber industry has faced injury from unfairly subsidized Canadian softwood lumber that has been sold at less than fair market value. This comes just 35 days post the Department of Commerce's conclusion.

Be part of this month’s PA Tree Farm Program discussion at the next Quarterly Meeting which is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Lettermans Sports Grill, 1031 College Avenue in State College. **Please note that this is a date and location change from what was announced earlier this year.

Chainsaw Safety Training – December 14, 2017

Join us for a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience to learn how to properly use chainsaws on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Stanbridge Park, 2501 Stanbridge Street, East Norriton, PA 19401. The cost for this training is $75. Payment is due no later than December 7, 2017. Class is limited to 25 participants so sign up now to secure your spot!

A thorough hands-on and classroom experience awaits. How can you tell if your saw is sharp before you even start it? Do you realize the impact of tree dynamics? Lean and overall health affect every chainsaw operator. Expect answers to these and much more, have myths unveiled and techniques taught to keep you safe, productive and efficient. Jim Savage, Penn State Instructor of Arboriculture, will guide participants through the basics of handling, ergonomics, recognized safety practices, bucking, and felling with chainsaws.

The 102nd PA Farm Show is just around the corner and is scheduled for January 6 through 13! Be sure to check out the PA Forestry Association’s exhibit in the Main Hall along the Maclay Street side of the building complex. If you would like to help with staffing the PFA’s exhibit, please contact the PFA office at 717-234-2500 or at thepfa@paforestry.org All help will be greatly appreciated!

Make Plans to Attend the 2018 Conservation Dinner

The PFA’s Annual Conservation Dinner is slated for Saturday, March 3rd at the Genetti Hotel & Conference Center in Williamsport. Watch for details and a registration form in the upcoming winter issue of Pennsylvania Forests.

Pick a tree at random anywhere in Southern California and examine it closely. Chances are good that you will find small wet stains on its trunk. Those wet stains are most likely signs of a fatal tree disease that is spreading throughout the region at an alarming rate, and which has the... - Los Angeles Times

Tree farmers received an unprecedented flurry of phone calls after a “Good Morning America” segment about tough times for the Christmas tree industry. The Tuesday morning report was dire: America faces a nationwide Christmas tree shortage. “People were calling and asking whether they can show up for a tree... - Allentown Morning Call

Urban sprawl is often blamed for wildlife-human conflicts. But throughout Pennsylvania, it’s the suburbs that are drawing black bears. Despite two centuries of habitat loss, the state’s bear population has quadrupled to more than 20,000 since 1981, when a science-based bear... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Federal officials have proposed a nearly 9,000 acre project that would address “forest health issues” and improve “recreation opportunities” on the Allegheny National Forest. Called the Hoover Project, the acreage included in the project area is located in Sheffield Township and appears to center between Sheffield and... - Warren Times Observer

Raul Chiesa and Janet Sredy own forest land in Forward Township, Allegheny County. They are certified tree farmers and were recognized in 2015 as the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. • House and Senate Republicans have announced their tax bills and the debate... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

An insect with spotted wings from Asia with an appetite for fruit orchards recently made its way into Schuylkill County, according to the state Department of Agriculture. It’s the spotted lanternfly, also known as the lycorma delicatula. On Nov. 3, the department said Schuylkill was one of the 13 counties in the... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Pittsburgh's Urban Redevelopment Authority on Thursday transferred 555 acres of woodland in Hays to the city for creation of a public park, but held back 89 acres for potential development despite public opposition. Residents — including one dressed in a bear's costume — argued that... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State Rep. Frank Burns is reminding landowners that the state is making $1 million in grant money available for planting trees along streams to improve water quality, along with $250,000 for snowmobile/ATV trails and projects. Applications are being taken until Dec. 20 for the Community Conservation... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat